Gyorko spoils Volquez's return to Petco

San Diego Padres' Jedd Gyorko watches the flight of his home run the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
— AP

San Diego Padres' Jedd Gyorko watches the flight of his home run the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
/ AP

The day after clinching a division title, the Dodgers manager trotted out a lineup consisting almost entirely of backups. It was a calculated decision, prioritizing rest for the team's dinged-up superstars over the pursuit of home-field advantage. Since a 30-42 start, these Dodgers have undeniably gained an appreciation for the grand scheme of things.

Auditioning for a part in that scheme is Edinson Volquez, the most recognizable name among Friday's mostly anonymous visitors. The frustrating right-hander reappeared on the mound at Petco Park for his first start against the Padres since they released him last month.

Following the Dodgers' celebratory dip Thursday at Chase Field, Volquez's latest postseason tryout did not go as swimmingly. His return to San Diego was highlighted by a historic home run from Jedd Gyorko, the rookie second baseman spoiling his ex-teammate's return in the Padres' 2-0 win.

San Diego scored a positive start to its final homestand of the season. Los Angeles continues to face a nagging question concerning its playoff rotation.

Volquez allowed the two runs over 6 1/3 innings -- a marked improvement from his final start as a Padre, when he exited in the first inning after giving up five earned runs -- but was typically less than efficient. He issued four walks and threw 111 pitches. More than a few of them confirmed a familiar scouting report.

"When he is executing all of his pitches and when he’s attacking hitters, he’s really tough," Padres third baseman Chase Headley said before the game. "When he gets in trouble is when he gets himself into trouble. He starts getting behind in counts and walking guys.

"You have to come in with a plan and adjust accordingly. You see if he’s going to throw strikes and if he is, you have to be a little more aggressive. And vice versa."

Gyorko, who will turn 25 on Monday, at times already looks like a seasoned veteran at the plate. Friday, he chose the aggressive route against Volquez and drove in both of the Padres' runs. His first-inning, RBI groundout gave the Padres a 1-0 lead.

In the fifth, Dodgers catcher Tim Federowicz set up low and away for a 2-0 pitch. Volquez elevated a fastball. Gyorko clubbed it for a 417-foot shot over the center-field wall.

With that homer, Gyorko became just the fifth rookie second baseman ever to hit 20 home runs. He also set a new Padres single-season record for home runs by a second baseman, surpassing Bret Boone's 19 blasts in 2000.

"As the season was winding down, it was a number that I thought I would get to," Gyorko said. "It feels good to get it and we've still got nine games to add to it."

Said Padres manager Bud Black: "He thinks he can get anything, which is good. Twenty home runs as a rookie, that's real."

Meanwhile, fellow rookie Robbie Erlin put together his best start as a big-leaguer, although the Dodgers' hodgepodge lineup presented a challenge reminiscent of the Albuquerque Isotopes. Over a career-high 7 2/3 innings, Erlin surrendered four hits and a walk. He set another career high with seven strikeouts.

"(Pitching coach) Darren (Balsley) and Robbie have been working on a lot of things to become a finished major league pitcher," Black said. "He's on track."

Since being recalled from Triple-A Tucson last month, Erlin has posted a 1.80 earned-run average in four starts.

"Getting the ball down is huge," Erlin said. "That's always been a struggle with me and working with Balsley. I think it's starting to click."

A trio of Dodger regulars made pinch-hit cameos in the ninth in a late attempt at stealing a victory. Adrian Gonzalez singled to put runners on first and third. Yasiel Puig struck out. Then, with the Dodgers down to their last out, Padres closer Huston Street struck out Matt Kemp to secure his 32nd save.